Speaker Nabih Berri warned the government “not to refer the state budget draft to the parliament” if it fails to reduce the budget deficit to “9% or even less,” al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.

The Cabinet held another meeting on Thursday to discuss the 2019 state budget and it was chaired by Prime Minister Saad Hariri at the Grand Serail.

After raiding the offices of the Foreign Ministry earlier this week, the State Security agency on Wednesday searched the headquarters of al-Akhbar newspaper, media reports said.

The government intends to finalize the draft state budget on Friday and Banque du Liban is very responsive regarding the slashing of salaries, Information Minister Jamal al-Jarrah said.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Wednesday postponed an upcoming visit to Africa due to the "critical health situation" of ex-patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, Bkirki said.

Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday said the 2019 state budget is a "golden chance" to overcome all the difficult circumstances in the country.

Information Minister Jamal Jarrah dismissed health concerns on Wednesday over the controversial high-voltage power lines to be installed above the North Metn town of Mansourieh stressing that the electricity plan will be implemented and the lines will be installed.

MP Yassine Jaber on Wednesday said the government must introduce “genuine structural reforms in various sectors” as part of planned austerity measures instead of cutting salaries of employees of the public sector.

After scuffles with security forces a day earlier, residents of the North Metn town of Mansourieh resumed their protests on Wednesday rejecting a government plan to install high-voltage power lines in their area.

President Michel Aoun warned Tuesday over the economic harm caused by labor strikes, as he reassured that the incomes of lower and middle class citizens will not be touched.